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Submitted: 5/9/21 • Approved: 5/10/21 • Last Updated: 5/13/21 • R272079-G272079-S3
Paul Frederick Dezotell
December 26, 1950 - February 19, 2020
Paul Frederick Dezotell, talented artist, of Sioux Falls, SD died Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Dougherty Hospice, with family by his side. He was 69.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 Monday February 24, 2020, at Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue (81st and Minnesota Ave directly across from Landscape Gardens). The family will be present to greet friends from 2:00-4:00 pm Sunday February 23, at Miller Southside Chapel.
Paul Frederick Dezotell was born December 26, 1950 in Grand Forks, ND, the son of Fred Dezotell and Alpha (Tangen) Dezotell Scott. He was a self-described Midwest boy who grew up in Grand Forks, ND drawing, painting, making things and dreaming of other places and realities. After graduating from Red River High School in 1968, he attended the University of North Dakota where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Paul enjoyed several years working at his eldest brother’s restaurant Dezotell's Steak-n-Stein. In 1981, he received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Paul’s degree in painting and graphic design and positions over nearly two decades in Los Angeles, CA in anything creative from graphic design, illustration, sign painting, carpentry and set design brought him full circle - back to the Midwest in 2005 to his own studio, Paul Dez Art. He was his own chief cook and brush washer as well as salesman, designer, carver and painter. His love of color and texture brought him to create custom 3-D paintings and other works that can be seen at Sanford Children's Hospital Sioux Falls, Great Plains Zoo, City of Sioux Falls CityLink studios, the Great Outdoor Store and other sites within the community. For several production seasons, Paul was the Technical Director at the Sioux Empire Community Theater where he loved encouraging and teaching volunteers set construction and how to let their inner artist shine. Paul also worked for the Siouxland Heritage Museums preparing exhibits for two years.
Paul enjoyed attending murder mystery dinner parties with friends, movies, mystery books and classic rock music. Paul savored time with his family and his grandchildren who brought joy to his heart and were a bright light in his life. As “Papa Paul” and “Grandpa Boo,” he loved reading stories, being silly and sharing his creative gifts.
Paul will be missed terribly by family and friends - his artistic talents and sense of humor will be remembered by all that knew him.
Grateful for sharing his life are his partner and significant other over the past 14 years, Danette Munson, Sioux Falls, SD; children and grandchildren of Danette, Laura Green (Nathan), Lila and Henry, Marshall, MN and Sarah Stanton (Mark), Lauren and Andrew, Lincoln, CA; sister Cindi Kouba (Dwight), Grand Forks, ND and brother Doug Dezotell (Lynn), Shelbyville, TN; brother-in-law, Paul Brewer, Edina, MN; nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Rita Brewer and Robert "Bob" Dezotell; sister-in-law, Eileen Dezotell.
Section Oak- Plot # 755
Contributed on 5/9/21 by 9katz
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Record #: 272079